This is forwarded from Reconnet with Peter Clayton's permission. I thought others might like to read his excellent letter. Trudy
reconnet: reconciliation email network Paul Canning has asked me to post my letter in this morning's Australian, so here goes: Rosemary Neill's articles (Focus 24-25/4, Focus Extra 26/4) and your editorial (27/4) on the need for honest debate on the achievements and shortcomings of indigenous self determination make a valuable contribution. Unfortunately, such a debate requires political leadership of a calibre we simply do not have. It would involve listening to and including alternative views - a process the Government has repeatedly demonstrated itself to be unwilling or unable to use. I have just received a letter from a federal Minister which again uses the expression "applying laws equally for all Australians." I believe this was originally One Nation speak, used very successfully to manipulate the gullible in Queensland. John Howard, Nick Minchin and John Herron adopted it during the Native Title Amendment Act debates. It has become something of a Coalition mantra. It is, of course, rubbish. Do we treat all Australians equally following national disasters? We most certainly do not, and nor should we. It is the Government's job to look after the devastated. Is indigenous welfare a national disaster? I believe it is by any measure. The Government's job is to look after those most affected, and to explain to the rest of us why such action is necessary. To hide behind platitudes about treating everybody equally is worse than a lack of leadership. It treats us like simpletons and opens the way further to disadvantage the already disadvantaged. Peter Clayton Neutral Bay ______________________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Start Your Own FREE Email List at http://www.listbot.com/
